AboutThea Expertise I can answer questions on the proper husbandry and diet of Iguanas, bearded dragons, geckoes, skinks, chameleons, tortoises, box turtles, treefrogs, non-venomous snakes and tarantulas. Also the breeding of some species of feeder insects.
I have no experience with venonmous snakes and only limited experience with aquatic turtles.
Experience I have been keeping and breeding reptiles for over 30 years. In addition to my regular job in the medical field I also worked for several years in a pet store that specialized only in exotics. The job entailed both caring for and answering questions on innumerable species. It required constant, extensive research into a wide range of reptiles. I have been called to appear on televised national media (CBC, CTV and Life Channel) as well as CBC radio to discuss the proper care of reptiles and other exotics in captivity. I currently own one or more species of those listed under my expertise with the exception of chameleons. I owned chameleons for years but keep none currently. I keep over 20 snakes comprising 5 species, both Colubridae and Boidae. I bred corn snakes for several years. I have a particular interest in treefrogs and currently have 5 different species. I've raised redfoot tortoises for 10 years and have two iguanas, one for 12 years.
Publications A small and now defunct local magazine called "Pet Vue"
Education/Credentials Diagnostic medical microbiology with some parasitology experience.
Question QUESTION: Our gecko (Gimely) is just over a year old and was growing and eating great until about a month ago. He no longer climbs in his cage and appears weak and does not walk right. When I take him out he barley moves. I have been hand feeding him baby food and spraying his cage daily. Can you please help us. Mindy
ANSWER: Hi Mindy, Nutritional deficiencies are the prime suspect whenever reptiles display the inability to climb, weakness and other impaired movement. Calcium deficiency is the most common. It can be caused by a lack of calcium in the diet or by too much phosphorous or a lack of vitamin D3 which helps the body absorb dietary calcium. Cresteds should have a combination of insects and fruit and both should be supplemented with powdered calcium/D3 regularly.
If this is something that has been missing from his diet then you can add that to the baby food immediately. I would also soak him in a little tepid water to enourage a bowel movement and maintain hydration. A visit to a qualified reptile vet is always a recommended option as well. Best of luck with Gimely.
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QUESTION: Will the lack of calcium cause his front feet to look deformed? Will they stay that way of go back to normal?
Answer Hi Mindy, The deficiency often becomes evident in the legs first but anywhere there is bone is affected. The leg bones will soften and become "bowed". Instead of looking like an "L" shape they get a "U" shape. If there has been deformity of the bone then that is likely permanent. As the bones strengthen animals do usually regain their ability to climb. They may remain a bit handicapped and require some adjustments to their cage to compensate.
